Can you name the batter with the most runs in Cricket World Cups?

It’s that time—The 2023 ODI World Cup is upon us!

So, let’s dive right in and explore the most prolific batters in men’s ODI Cricket World Cups (CWC). From Ross Taylor to Sachin Tendulkar, here are the most iconic batters to have played in the World Cup.

Table of Contents – Most Runs in Cricket World Cups

• Top 25 List of Most Runs in Cricket World Cup
• Frequently Asked Questions – Most Runs in Cricket World Cup

Key Takeaways

• Sachin Tendulkar has scored the most runs in Cricket World Cups (Men’s ODI) with 2278 runs, 535 runs ahead of the next best, Ricky Ponting. Ponting (1743), Kumar Sangakkara (1532), Brian Lara (1225), and AB De Villiers (1207) are the others in the Top 5 list of the highest run scorers in ODI World Cups.
• 21 cricketers have scored over 1,000 runs in ODI World Cups. Sri Lanka (5) features the most in this list followed by India, Australia, West Indies, South Africa (3), New Zealand (2), and Bangladesh & Pakistan (1).
• Although most players have played over 30 ODIs, AB De Villiers is a class apart with 1207 runs in just 22 innings. He also boasts an average of 63.2 and a strike rate of 117.29.
• Sachin Tendulkar has scored six hundreds in ODI Cricket World Cups followed by Ricky Ponting & Kumar Sangakkara with five each.
• Shakib Al Hasan (#9), Virat Kohli (#17), Martin Guptill (#22), David Warner (#23), Rohit Sharma (#25), and Kane Williamson (#30) are the only active ODI players still playing international cricket.

ODI Cricket World Cup Batting Records: Top 21 List of Most Runs in Cricket World Cup (CWC)

1. Sachin Tendulkar (India) – 2278 Runs

• Matches/Innings: 45/44
• Best: 152
• Average: 56.95
• Strike Rate: 88.98
• 100/50: 6/15

ODI World Cups Played: 1992, 1996, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011

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Also Read:

• Who has the Most Man of the Match Awards in International Cricket?
• The Greatest Match Winners in Cricket History
• Who Has Scored the Most Test Runs? List of Top 35 Highest Runs Scorers in Test Cricket History
• Who Has the Most Test Centuries in Cricket History?| List of Top 25 Cricketers with Test Hundreds
• Most Centuries in International Cricket Across Formats

2. Ricky Ponting (Australia) – 1743 Runs

• Matches/Innings: 46/42
• Best: 140*
• Average: 45.86
• Strike Rate: 79.95
• 100/50: 5/6

ODI World Cups Played: 1996, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011

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3. Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) – 1532 Runs

• Matches/Innings: 37/35
• Best: 124
• Average: 56.74
• Strike Rate: 86.55
• 100/50: 5/7

ODI World Cups Played: 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015

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4. Brian Lara (West Indies) – 1225 Runs

• Matches/Innings: 34/33
• Best: 116
• Average: 42.24
• Strike Rate: 86.25
• 100/50: 2/7

ODI World Cups Played: 1992, 1996, 1999, 2003, 2007

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5. AB De Villiers (South Africa) – 1207 Runs

• Matches/Innings: 23/22
• Best: 162*
• Average: 63.52
• Strike Rate: 117.29
• 100/50: 4/6

ODI World Cups Played: 2007, 2011, 2015

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6. Chris Gayle (West Indies) – 1186 Runs

• Matches/Innings: 35/34
• Best: 215
• Average: 35.93
• Strike Rate: 90.53
• 100/50: 3/6

ODI World Cups Played: 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019

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7. Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) – 1165 Runs

• Matches/Innings: 38/37
• Best: 120
• Average: 34.26
• Strike Rate: 90.66
• 100/50: 3/6

ODI World Cups Played: 1992, 1996, 1999, 2003, 2007

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8. Jacques Kallis (South Africa) – 1148 Runs

• Matches/Innings: 36/32
• Best: 128*
• Average: 45.92
• Strike Rate: 74.40
• 100s/50s: 1/9

ODI World Cups Played: 1996, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011

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9. Shakib Al Hasan* (Bangladesh) – 1146 Runs

• Matches/Innings: 29/29
• Best: 124*
• Average: 45.84
• Strike Rate: 82.26
• 100s/50s: 2/10

ODI World Cups Played: 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019

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10. Tillakaratne Dilshan (Sri Lanka) – 1112 Runs

• Matches/Innings: 27/25
• Best: 161*
• Average: 52.95
• Strike Rate: 92.97
• 100s/50s: 4/4

ODI World Cups Played: 2007, 2011, 2015

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11. Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) – 1100 Runs

• Matches/Innings: 40/34
• Best: 115*
• Average: 35.48
• Strike Rate: 85.93
• 100/50: 4/5

ODI World Cups Played: 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015

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12. Adam Gilchrist (Australia) – 1085 Runs

• Matches/Innings: 31/31
• Best: 149
• Average: 36.36
• Strike Rate: 98.01
• 100/50: 1/8

ODI World Cups Played: 1999, 2003, 2007

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13. Javed Miandad (Pakistan) – 1083 Runs

• Matches/Innings: 33/30
• Best: 103
• Average: 43.32
• Strike Rate: 68.02
• 100/50: 1/8

ODI World Cups Played: 1975, 1979, 1983, 1987, 1992, 1996

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14. Stephen Fleming (New Zealand) – 1075 Runs

• Matches/Innings: 33/33
• Best: 134*
• Average: 35.83
• Strike Rate: 76.89
• 100/50: 2/5

ODI World Cups Played: 1996, 1999, 2003, 2007

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15. Herschelle Gibbs (South Africa) – 1067 Runs

• Matches/Innings: 25/23
• Best: 143
• Average: 56.15
• Strike Rate: 87.38
• 100/50: 2/8

ODI World Cups Played: 1999, 2003, 2007

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16. Aravinda de Silva (Sri Lanka) – 1064 Runs

• Matches/Innings: 35/32
• Best: 145
• Average: 36.68
• Strike Rate: 86.57
• 100/50: 2/6

ODI World Cups Played: 1987, 1992, 1996, 1999, 2003

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17. Virat Kohli* (India) – 1030 Runs

• Matches/Innings: 26/26
• Best: 107
• Average: 46.81
• Strike Rate: 86.70
• 100/50: 2/6

ODI World Cups Played: 2011, 2015, 2019

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18. Sir Vivian Richards (West Indies) – 1013 Runs

• Matches/Innings: 23/21
• Best: 181
• Average: 63.31
• Strike Rate: 85.05
• 100/50: 3/5

ODI World Cups Played: 1975, 1979, 1983, 1987

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19. Sourav Ganguly (India) – 1006 Runs

• Matches/Innings: 21/21
• Best: 183
• Average: 55.88
• Strike Rate: 77.50
• 100/50: 4/3

ODI World Cups Played: 1999, 2003, 2007

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20. Mark Waugh (Australia) – 1004 Runs

• Matches/Innings: 22/22
• Best: 130
• Average: 52.84
• Strike Rate: 83.73
• 100/50: 4/4

ODI World Cups Played: 1992, 1996, 1999

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21. Ross Taylor (New Zealand) – 1002 Runs

• Matches/Innings: 33/30
• Best: 131*
• Average: 37.11
• Strike Rate: 74.00
• 100/50: 1/6

ODI World Cups Played: 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019

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Honorable Mentions: Martin Guptill* (995), David Warner* (992), Matthew Hayden (987), Rohit Sharma* (978), Shivnarine Chanderpaul (970), Arjuna Ranatunga (969), Faf du Plessis (926), Saeed Anwar (915), Kane Williamson* (911)

Final Thoughts on the Most Prolific Run Scorers in ODI World Cup History

Ah, the joys of ODI Cricket World Cup!

Every four years, the cricketing world descends into a frenzy of excitement and anticipation.

Which batsman will light up the 2023 ODI World Cup? Can Shakib Al Hasan & Virat Kohli rise to the Top 5? Comment below, we would love to know your thoughts!

Also Read: 155 Greatest Cricketers of All Time (Men’s): Who Is the King of Cricket? (Updated 2023)

Most Runs in Cricket World Cup – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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